Carbon Growth

If a total registration is under 100 hectares the carbon tables used for poplar and willow plantings are based on the MPI Standard look-up tables under ‘Other Exotic Hardwood’.

These tables were produced by MPI to represent an average stand of hardwoods across New Zealand.

If the total registration is over 100 hectares the participant is required to measure the carbon growth of the forest areas under the Field Measurement Approach (FMA). By measuring the carbon at specific plot locations provided, MPI create ‘Participant specific tables’ which represent the carbon sequestered over the lifetime of a species.

If a registration is over 100 hectares and measured under the FMA, the carbon tables produced will represent the actual carbon per hectare which will differ from the MPI Standard look-up tables if has low number of stems per hectare.

Tips

In the case of spaced erosion control plantings, the following tips may be helpful.

The crown cover/canopy size of cultivars differ, therefore when working with narrower varieties, tighter spacing is required to meet the forest land criteria.

MPI Mapping guidelines allows 15 metres maximum between canopy edges, however a maximum buffer of 4 metres can be applied to a pole under five years of age.

The shape of erosion control plantings may be linear or in isolated pockets, therefore can be ineligible as not capable of average width of 30 metres, 1 hectare in size, or potential of 30% canopy cover.

Additional poles can be added to increase size and link existing stands. By using several rows rather than a single tree/line linking, the link is less likely to be affected by poor survival.

Monitor registered stands and replant to make sure eligibility criteria is always met. Units must be repaid if the carbon stock declines.

The stands can be considered permanent as long as tree crown cover is maintained.

The location and spacing of plantings means that their stand shape can be significantly affected by survival/attrition.

By ensuring a stand is well established before entering into the ETS, poles will be past initial establishment phase, as well as being able to locate and map on aerial imagery.

GPS marking the base of poles can also aid in mapping in their earlier years, especially in areas where aerial imagery is flown less often or imagery is in deciduous months.

Stands can contain areas of different establishment years, however, planting years and locations are crucial to determining age.

Keep good records of how many poles planted in specific paddocks, and access council records where appropriate.

Check aerial imagery from around 1990 for land use cover in January 1990. Darker areas will be a red flag that vegetation could have already been established.

If land is in doubt you will need to provide supporting evidence (receipts, photos etc.)

More Information

Refer to the MPI website for information relating to Forestry in the ETS. 0800 CLIMATE #3

Or contact Woodnet - admin@woodnet.co.nz 06 370 2068, who are well established in this space and who the Poplar and Willow Trust have confidence in.

This information has been made available by Woodnet Forestry, Marginal Land & Carbon Consultancy Services based in Masterton.